Apple leaf (curling) midge

Insect

Apple leaf (curling) midge

Dasineura mali (Kieffer)

Diptera: Cecidomyiidae

Distribution: NB, QC, ON, NY, New England states.


The adult is a tiny dark brown fly (A), and the larva is a yellow-white maggot with a reddish tinge (B).

  • Crops Affected: apples

    Damage

    Larvae attack leaves and flowers of apple trees, which can particularly impair the growth of young or grafted trees. Larvae spend most of their life within a rolled leaf (C), and then usually drop to the ground to pupate. Major symptoms of infestation are tightly rolled leaves, caused by early instar larval feeding. Leaves subsequently become brown and brittle (D) and drop from the tree.

    Management

    Sprays are seldom required; generally not a problem in orchards receiving seasonal insecticide sprays for other pests, particularly in late spring, just as leaf symptoms would start to appear.

More Information on Similar Species